Nasal dilating device



Dec. 7, 1943. J, T, HANLON 2,335,936

NASAL DILATING DEVICE F'iled sept. 3o, 1940 @ye/Wr: Jose/7i /Z/Z Z022 Patented Dec. 7, 1943 U`Nnioge-srares sATENT 4OFI-fica 2,335,936 Y y NASAL DILATING; DEVICE y Joseph'i. Hanlon, Chricagofllli Application september 30, 194i),v serial No. 358,963 scams. (o1. 12s-342) This invention has toi do with a surgical device and? relates` more particularly to such a device that isinsertable `upwardly into a constricted nasal passage for dilating'the same and for conducting air through the passage.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a new surgical device suitable for disposal in the nostril of a patient suffering from constriction of! this anatomical passage and functioning, pursuant to periodic wearing, to correct ldeformed flesh tissue. 3

An 'additional object of this invention is the provision of a device -as the above consisting of aV hollow shell-like" structure that is light in Weight for increasing its comfort to the patient and which is'open at its ends so as to further promote comfort by` creating a breathing passage. Thus the device alsov has utility in relieving congestion during temporary disorders asv those occurring with a common cold.

A still further l`object of the invention is the provision of a novel nasal dilating device including side openings and indented side wall portions for registration with nasal hair-growth sections whereby interference with the normal ltering function of such hair-growth is minimized.

An additional object of this is the provision of a device as the above having side wall opening means to expedite breathing by the patient.

These and other desirable objects will become apparent upon reading the following description with reference to the annexed single sheet of drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view taken vertically through a nasal passage of a human patient and longitudinally through a surgical device constructed according to the principles of the present invention and occupying the installed position within such passage;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of the device; and

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawing wherein the saine reference characters that appear in different views designate the same respective parts, the device generally indicated Ii) is a shell-like elongated member which is substantially elliptical in cross section. Said member is preferably made of a comparatively inert metal or plastic or other material not irritable to the mucous membrane.

'Ihe device comprises a lower slightly enlarged end section II providing an end opening I2 and a generally bayonet-shaped section I3 which tapersv toward the opposite end where there is an openingld. vAbout the' lower end there is a retaining section I5 which'is connected with and held in selected spaced relation from the bayonet section I3 by ra plurality of strip-lille inwardly deflected Wall sections I6. In addition to openings I'I .between the strips IS; openings I8 are provided'in one of the narrow-side wallsof the bayonet-shaped section.

When the device is installed as illustrated-inir Fig.V liit will be seen` that its generally bowed body and its tapering surface contour enables it to fit snugly into that part of the nasalcavity at one side of the septum I9 while the retaining ring or section I5 is disposed adjacently to and just above the vestibule 20, thus preventing accidental dislodgementof thedevice. Such section I5 maybe bent into the shape causing itto conform tothe contour of the innerv peripheral part of the particular patients nostril with which it is to engage'. The bayonet-shaped section I3 spreads thetissue with which it comes incontactl normally to the septum I9 and consequently opens the frontal walls of the concha passages.

It has been found that periodic wearing of this device causes the tissue of an otherwise permanent constriction to retain or partially retain the shape imparted to it wherefore the defect is alleviated. Wearing of the device by a patient suifering from a temporary defect such as swelling caused by a cold or other infection will yield immediate relief since it will enable the patient to breathe more readily.

Air drawn inwardly through the device is directed by it through the natural nasal passages, part of the air passing outwardly through the space provided between the strip-like members I6 and through the concha inferior passage while part of the air is directed through the openings I8 and the end opening I4 into the concha media passage and the concha superior passage, these passages being confluent with the pharynX (not shown).

Comfort to the patient is augmented by the openings Il and the identified strips I6 which permit the filter hair to occupy the normal position. Moreover, the function of this hair growth is untrammeled when permitted to project inwardly through said openings I1.

I wish it understood that the single embodiment hereinA shown and described is but a convenient tangible illustration and that I am fully aware other embodiments or modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. v

I claim:

1. A nasal dilating device comprising an elongated member including a hollow shell-like end section diminishing in cross-sectional area as its respective end of said member is approached, an open-ended generally elliptical retaining section at the opposite end of said member, and a strip-like wall section extending lengthwise of said member for retaining said end sections in selected spaced relation and providing for space at the sides thereof for receiving nasal hair growth.

2. A nasal dilating device comprising an elongated member including a hollow shell-like end section diminishing in cross-sectional area as its respective end of said member is approached, an open-ended generally elliptical retaining section at the opposite end of said member, and a plurality of strip-like wall sections spaced circumferentially of said member and interconnecting said 'end vsections for retaining them in selected spaced relation and providing for space between adjacent of said strip-like sections for receiving nasal `hair growth.

3; A .nasal dilating device comprising an elongated member including a hollow shell-like end section diminishing in cross-sectional area as its respective end of said member is approached, an open-ended generally elliptical retaining section at the opposite end of said member, and a plurality of strip-like wall sections interconnecting said end sections and spaced circumferenti'ally `of said member to provide spaces therebetween for receiving nasal hair growth, and certain of said strip-like wall sections being deflected inwardly of said member.

4. A nasal dilating device comprising an elongated member tapered substantially throughout its length toward one of its ends and generally elliptical in transverse section wherefore it has a pair of relatively narrow longitudinal side walls and a pair of relatively broad longitudinal side walls, said member being bowed normally to its narrow side walls wherefore one thereof is concavely bowed lengthwise of the member and the other is convexly bowed lengthwise of the member, side wall breathing opening means in the concavely bowed of said narrow side walls, and an axial channel means in said member extending between and providing communication between said opening means and the end of said member of larger cross sectional area.

5. A nasal dilating device comprising an elongated hollow member having an open base end from which it is tapered toward its opposite end and being generally elliptical in transverse section wherefore it has a pair of relatively narrow .longitudinal side walls and a pair of relatively broad longitudinal side walls, saidmember being bowed normally to its narrow side walls wherefore one thereof is concavely bowed lengthwise of the member and the other is Vconvexly bowed lengthwise of the member, and there being side wall breathing opening means .in the concavely bowed wall in communicative relation between the interior and exterior of said hollow member.

5. A nasal dilating device comprising an elongated hollow member having an open base end from which it is tapered toward its opposite end and being generally elliptical in transverse section wherefore it has a pair of relatively narrow longitudinal side walls and a pair of relatively broad longitudinal side walls, said member being bowed normally to its narrow side walls wherefore one thereof is concavely bowed lengthwise of the member and the other is convexly bowed lengthwise of the member, and a plurality of breathing openings in and spaced lengthwise of the concavely bowed wall in communicative relation between the interior and exterior of said hollow member.

JOSEPH T. HANLON. 

